Without Much Fanfare, Carroll Street F Train Stop Loses A Booth

photo credit: David C.

Last week...and yesterday

While I was away last week, friend David sent me the photo above of the Carroll Street F and G train station's President Street Manhattan-side entrance, where the MTA booth was removed recently.

Granted, there still is a booth with a clerk at the other entrance at Second Place and there are two Metro card machines on the President Street side, but it always seemed safer at that end of the station when there was a clerk available, even if only occasionally. 

Over the years, there have been many instances when the MTA wanted to eliminate this particular  booth, but there always came an angry outcry from the neighborhood and our politicians, who cited safety concerns. The MTA always backed off. I guess this time, the agency moved ahead without much advance notice to the community.

If the MTA isn't going to staff the booth with a station clerk at this end of the station, it's obsolete, of course, but I can't help being a bit sad about losing it. 

How about you, neighbor?